Knights

Friday, May 24, 2024

By: Dan Allison | Silver Knights media relations

For the fourth time in five seasons, the Silver Knights opened their season within the confines of Historic Holman Stadium. Eager to shake off a season that ended without a postseason appearance, Nashua’s first test would be against the 2023 championship finalist, Vermont Lake Monsters. 

After a sluggish start for the Knights, the two teams traded blows on the scoreboard in the later frames. Nashua carried a one-run lead into the eighth, but the Lake Monsters spoiled the opening day festivities with runs in the eighth and ninth to win 5-4.

In the top of the first, shades of last year’s flaws crept back into the Knights’ gameplan. An error and a wild pitch opened the gate for a three-run frame as Vermont jumped out to an early lead. 

As the vibes inside Holman Stadium were brought to a halt, the Nashua offense came alive just in time to bring back the crowd. 

Clark’s Ryan Caulfield brought home a run in the fourth, while Stonehill’s Nate Kearney beating out a surefire double play to bring across run number two and keep the inning alive. With runners on the corners and two outs, Fitchburg State’s Adam Koza poked a ball out to right field for an RBI single to tie the ballgame.

Nashua’s bullpen calmed down the pitching staff after the tough start, posting six straight scoreless innings. Amherst’s Weslley De Oliveira tossed two shutout frames, with Assumption’s Mike Crowley getting the Knights out of a bases-loaded jam in the seventh.

With a lead in hand and two innings to go, Nashua looked to get to the finish line for win number one of the 2024 campaign. But with five outs to go, Colby Sawyer’s Evan Dennis would punch one out to right center field and off the advertisement signs to tie it with a solo shot. Even at four, the Lake Monsters kept on the pressure with a run in the ninth to push the Knights to the brink.

Doubles from Koza in the eighth and Northeastern’s Will Fosberg would keep Nashua’s hopes alive, but both runners would end up left stranded. Albany’s Derek Finlay would put together a nine-pitch at-bat as the Knights’s last hope, but a swinging strike three would seal the deal and give Vermont the opening victory.

Seeking the win column for the first time, Nashua will continue their three-game opening weekend homestand with a Saturday matchup versus the New Britain Bees. First pitch is set for 6:00 PM. Visit https://nashuasilverknights.com/home/ or call the office at 603-718-8883 for tickets tomorrow or any future home games. Can’t make it out to the stadium? Watch the Silver Knights at home or on the go at https://fcblnetwork.com/NashuaSK/ and follow us on social media to track scores and updates.